The Bottom
Line
Based on technical merits
alone, I like DVD+RW. However, the multi-format drives (DVD-RAM with –R, and
now –RW support in a drive from Hitachi) may offer all the functionality any
power user today might need, and at a lower price. Bear in mind that any of
these formats may disappear in the future as momentum builds toward consumer
acceptance of another.
Which format will emerge
as the de facto standard is not at all clear. In view of the Zip drive’s dominance
over the floppy-compatible LS-120 superdisk, backward compatibility is clearly
not enough – nor is technical superiority (See Beta vs. VHS, MacOS/Be/Linux
vs. Windows, etc.). The winner will be determined by dollars, based on consumer
perceptions of quality and value – and just perhaps – real world usability.
Strategic positioning, corporate alliances, advertising campaigns and clever
marketing will have as much to do with determining the winner as technical
merits.
SUMMARY COMPARISON
DVD+RW
- 2.4X write speed (DVD-RW
format currently limited to 1X, DVD-R 2X)
- Defect management system
inherent in “plus” format specifications
- (DVD-RAM also features
defect management)
- Ability to interrupt
and resume recording operation (as does DVD-RAM)
- Mount Rainier support
(a new specification for drag-and-drop operations with several claimed advantages
over current packet writing schemes. Backed by Microsoft, Compaq, Philips
and Sony.
- Costs a bit more (for
now)
- Recorded discs likely
to be “less” compatible than DVD-R
DVD-R/RW
- DVD-R is the king of
creating the most widely-compatible discs
- Slightly more mature
technology than +
- Slower write speed
(DVD-RW limited to 1X, DVD-R can write at 2X)
- Recordings must be
performed in a single session
- DVD-RAM drives that
support DVD-R, and even DVD_RW are available
DVD-RAM
- Performance and operating
benefits over DVD-RW for data storage
- Drives currently less
expensive than +RW units
- DVD-R compatibility
available in some units, -RW in at least one
- Video DVD players beginning
to offer support for DVD-RAM
CONCLUSION
With prices dropping while
the data on your hard drive continues to accumulate, this might be a great
time to jump on the recordable DVD bandwagon. On the other hand, in light
of the competing formats, some of us will get burned when the one we’ve chosen
disappears from the market. Only the future will tell what the “correct” choice
is for us today.
If you have a use for
a DVD writer today, by all means buy one. Be aware that the hardware requirements
are considerable – a minimum of an 800 MHz Pentium or G4 is quoted by LaCie
for their firewire product. If being able produce video presentations on DVD
would benefit you today, or are finding CDRs are inconveniently limited in
capacity for your current archival purposes, the technology is here and it
won’t break the bank. I can see a very attractive cost/benefit ratio for many
professional PC applications.
However, prices are expected
to drop quickly over the coming year, every few days you wait will be a dollar
in your pocket for some time to come, and the competition for ‘universal’
format acceptance will be that much closer to a resolution.
Finally, keep reading
reviews of new units as they are introduced. We’ve only talked about formats
here, the question of the actual drives perform in comparison to one another
in the real world is an even more important consideration. And if you read
between the lines a bit, you may gain a better understanding of how the war
of the formats is really shaking out.
Author:
D. Scott Salveson
Published: 30/12/01
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